Want more pics, just ask. Here's the TRUE story on these. These were the very first Gene Simmons Axe Basses ever made available to the public. Gene had a shaky deal with Kramer to put these out. There were supposed to be 1,000 total instruments released, which is why the GENUINE SIGNATURES UNDER THE CLEAR COAT ON THE BLADE are numbered out of 1,000.....the falling out came about at 200 instruments total. No more were ever made. There ended up being 175 total bass guitars and 25 of the 6 string guitars ever produced. I've ended up with 2 of the 6 string guitar versions as well. The basses and the guitars all used the EXACT SAME BODIES AND THE SAME DETACHABLE AXE BLADES, only the neck pocket was enlarged for the basses. So, Gene started signing the detachable blades (made it easier than having the entire instruments sent to him. So, there is no rhyme or reason on which numbers ended up on basses and which numbers ended up on the guitars. They just grabbed a blade and attached it. Ok, so these were released at the end of 1980 and the first few months of 1981. If they were SIGNED in '81 then Gene would put a little number "81" so, the BLADE on this axe was SIGNED in 1980, the rest of the bass could have been produced either year. These are when the awesome aluminum neck instruments were made. They had an adjustable aluminum nut and zero fret (brilliant thinking) and the "Ebanol" fingerboards (brilliant thinking again) Ovation always used them as well in the beginning and now most guitars are going back to Ebanol to save trees, plus they are simply a better playing surface. The bass is all original, even the amazing sounding Dimarzio pickup. You would thing that by the location of the pickup, that it would be too bright. Nope, Dimarzio considered that and wound the pickups accordingly. It is one of the most balanced basses I've heard all across the frequency range. VERY, VERY clear sounding. Any dirt from these basses came from Gene's dirty tones that he dialed on those old Tube, Ampeg SVT stacks. The bass has been played and deserves to. It is an honest to goodness REAL BASS and shouldn't be left hanging in a display case. It is still at LEAST a VERY STRONG 8.5 condition wise. The OHSC has been on the road and protected it. The case shows its years of protection. All is original, there are the battle scars to prove it. It is back when cases were made of REAL WOOD. All latches and hinges work perfectly, Handle is perfect, interior is perfect. So, an amazing bass that will skyrocket when Gene decides to meet his maker. Don't confuse this bass with ANY OTHER AXE BASS EVER MADE. These are the ORIGINALS and by far the best. Schaller tuners in perfect shape and working order, as well as the heavy duty roller bridge, allowing you to adjust your own string spacing as well. Don't forget....these necks never need truss rod adjustments either. It's a no brainer. Buy it before I change my mind. Ships to the continental US only.
